MANSEHRA: Prime Minister Imran Khan has approved Rs3 billion funds for the blacktopping of Mansehra district’s two major arteries, including Mansehra-Naran and Mansehra-Chaterplan Roads, to promote tourism.

The premier has also given the green light to the establishment of a coronavirus testing laboratory for Mansehra.

The development came during a meeting of parliamentary secretary for energy Salah Mohammad Khan with PM Imran Khan in Islamabad on Tuesday.

Mr Salah told reporters here on Wednesday that premier expressed concern about the growing Covid-19 incidence in Hazara division, including Mansehra district.

He said the prime minister had ordered the supply of five ventilators and installation of a central oxygen system and an incinerator at the King Abdullah Teaching Hospital, Mansehra, as part of the Covid-19 strategy.

Premier also okayed Covid-19 lab for region, says local MNA

The parliamentary secretary said the proposed testing lab would cater to Mansehra, Torghar, Battagram, Upper and Lower Kohistan, and Kolai-Palas districts.

He said the prime minister had also approved electric supply and a feeder for many villages in Kaghan and Pakhal areas.

Mr Salah said the people should strictly follow lockdown to help stem the spread of coronavirus.

ROBBERY: Gunmen robbed a family of Rs150,000 cash, five mobile sets, wrist watches and other valuables on the Oghi-Darband Road on Tuesday night.

Resident Shahbaz Khan told reporters that the robbery occurred in Gudla Kundgar area as he was taking a patient from Karachi to Kalu Basti village in an ambulance.

He said the robbers brandishing kalashnikovs and pistols and wearing face masks intercepted the ambulance and took away cash, mobile phones and other valuables.

The resident demanded the early arrest of robbers and recovery of loots.

FOOD PACKAGE: The Al-Khidmat foundation has pledged to supply 0.5 million food packages to deserving families across 32 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa before Eidul Fitr.

Of these families, 10,000 belong to Mansehra district, provincial president of Al-Khidmat Foundation Khalid Waqas told a presser here on Wednesday.

He said the charity was sensitising people to Covid-19 emergency besides providing the deserving families with medical and financial assistance across the province.

Published in Dawn, April 23rd, 2020